Alli Talley

November 20, 2019

The 5 Most Instagrammable Spots in Columbia, South Carolina

Alli Talley

November 20, 2019

There’s no denying that Columbia is beautiful. From the tree-lined suburban neighborhoods to the charming downtown, it’s the kind of city we love to photograph. And it’s the kind of place with endless Instagram material - we could’ve easily quadrupled this list! But in an effort to keep things manageable and doable, we’ve narrowed it down to our Top 5 Most Instagrammable Spots in Columbia - and judging by the pictures, you’ll know why! ;)

1. GRADUATE COLUMBIA :: 1619 Pendleton Street

It’s colorful, it’s whimsical, and it’s full of Southern charm… Graduate Columbia is one of the most Instagrammable hotels we’ve ever stayed at. Even if you don’t stay there, their colorful lobby and chic bar area make for picture-perfect photo opp’s. (And they are dog friendly, too!)

2. COLUMBIA MUSEUM OF ART :: 1515 Main Street

This modern and beautifully arranged museum is a must-see in general, but it also makes for a stunning landscape for your Instagram feed. Strike a pose in the stunning lobby, that features a wild and fanciful glass centerpiece by Dale Chihuly. Whether you wander through their many permanent or traveling exhibits, you’re sure to take some gorgeous photos. And be sure not to miss their iconic Andy Warhol painting!

3. THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE HOUSE :: 1100 Gervais Street

You can’t visit Columbia without a photo in front of the historic and iconic state capitol building. The architecture is captivating, and the grounds are meticulously kept. Get there early and your chances of getting a shot on the front steps without any other people will be a lot better… or do like we did, and get creative! ;)

4. LINCOLN STREET TUNNEL

We’ll never turn down an opportunity to pose in front of a colorful mural, and the entrance to this walking trail is filled with them! These vibrant murals tell the story of Columbia, and this newly revitalized area is only going to continue to evolve. Bring a few outfit changes, and you’ll have Instagram content for days!

Celebrating the arrival of fall in front of a Lincoln Street Tunnel mural!

5. COLUMBIA CANAL AND RIVERFRONT PARK

For the nature lovers out there, head to the scenic Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park, where you’ll find picturesque bridges, benches to cozy up with a loved one, and a walking trail that’s alluring no matter the time of year! If you’re up for getting some exercise, rent bikes and take them for a spin along the canal!

Did we miss a spot? Leave a comment and let us know!

Sally Talley

November 20, 2019

South Carolina, USA

Sally's Dog Friendly Guide to Columbia, South Carolina

Sally Talley

November 20, 2019

South Carolina, USA

Hi furr-iends, Sally again!

Mom and dad decided they needed a break from writing blogs - something about their paws being tired, so they’re letting me fill in on this one. Which, is really a smart move on their part, because who better to write a dog-friendly guide to Columbia, South Carolina than ME?

We only had a few short days here, but we did and saw a lot. This city is paw-fect for furry friends, and I can’t wait to come back!

Here are some of my favorite things we did and some of my favorite places:

SODA CITY FARMERS MARKET

The farmers markets back in our hometown aren’t dog-friendly, so imagine my excitement when I found out that I could come to this one! My joy was through the moon! Little did we know just how epic this one is - it’s next level compared to the farmers markets at home!

Soda City Farmers Market is fun for the whole family, with everything from food and drink vendors, to local musicians, entertainers, artists, designers, and more. (They have over 150 vendors every week!) I made tons of four-legged friends, and I even got to try some local and artisan grain-free treats… what a dream! Soda City Farmers Market is open every Saturday, year-round, from 9am-1pm.

Sally loves all the new friends at the Soda City Farmers Market!

smallSUGAR

My paw-rents are big coffee drinkers. (Every once and awhile they let me lick the whipped cream, but that’s about as close to trying it as I’ve gotten.) Anyway, they LOVED smallSugar for coffee and breakfast, and I loved the fact that their cozy patio welcomed dogs. Even though I didn’t get to try them, their baked goods looked delicious, as well as their tartines!

COLUMBIA CANAL AND RIVERFRONT PARK

Going for a walk is always the highlight of my day, and the Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park was most definitely my favorite walking trail in Columbia. Not only is it beautiful, there are turtles and beavers in and around the river, too! (I would’ve chased them if I hadn’t been leashed.) It’s a great place to sightsee, get some exercise, and maybe even take a family picture or two!

RIVER RAT BREWERY

Don’t be fooled by the name - there aren’t any rats here. (Believe me, I looked.) River Rat Brewery is easily my top choice for an afternoon cold one - beers for my folks, water for me. I love their big, grassy yard for people watching and relaxing in the shade. And my dad said it was his favorite beer he had in Columbia!

PUBLICO KITCHEN + TAP

Now, if I had to pick ONE place to go in all of Columbia, it would be here. Publico Kitchen + Tap is basically my version of heaven. (My paw-rents loved it too, but that’s beside the point.) They have an entire menu just for dogs - and it’s a thousand times better than that Costco kibble I eat every day! Their grassy backyard patio area is great for families with pets, I’d come back to Columbia just to eat here!

Sally’s feast of ground turkey and other goodies…

GRADUATE COLUMBIA

My paw-rents were immediately obsessed with Graduate Columbia because of its colorful decor, and I was immediately obsessed because they gave me a Bark Box upon arrival! (The BEST!) I stay at a lot of dog friendly hotels with my folks, and Graduate hotels are always so accommodating. This one was of no exception, I felt so welcomed and loved by the staff and guests. I didn’t want to leave!

Did I miss a dog-friendly Columbia hot spot? Leave a comment and let me know, as I’m looking for a good excuse to go back. I was made for the South.

Alli Talley

November 20, 2019

South Carolina, USA

Where to Eat (and Drink) in Columbia, South Carolina

Alli Talley

November 20, 2019

South Carolina, USA

Columbia, South Carolina is a foodie’s dream land. From true Southern comfort food to the perfect avocado toast, their culinary scene has something for everyone. And frankly, we couldn’t get enough of it! Our “must try” list was long and our time was short, but we made it happen. We probably left Columbia with a few extra pounds on us, but hey - it was all in the name of research. Here are the spots we loved, I mean, we “researched”, that we’d absolutely go back to.

BREAKFAST

smallSugar

This hidden gem of a spot near downtown Columbia would easily be our go-to if we were locals. smallSugar’s coffee is strong and delicious (if you’re not a coffee drinker, try their chai), their baked goods are to die for, and their breakfast items are fresh and hearty. We split their overnight oats and an avocado tartine, and it was the perfect flavor combo! A little salty, a little sweet! (And their patio is dog friendly, too!)

Tasty As Fit

A foodie friend of ours (what up, Evie Eats!!) sent us a DM while we were in Columbia and told us we needed to try Tasty As Fit, and so we hopped in our car and did just that. What we discovered was the sweetest chef and real food visionary, Emilie, and her stunning (and incredibly Instagrammable) grab-n-go cafe. We left with some healthy and hearty smoothies, vegan snickers (perfectly acceptable for breakfast), and a new friend. GO HERE!

Soda City Farmers Market (Saturdays from 9am-1pm)

If you find yourselves in Columbia on a Saturday, there’s no better place to go for breakfast than the iconic Soda City Farmers Market. Not only is it quite possibly the best farmers market we’ve ever been to (and we’ve been to alot), but their local food vendors are on another level too! We grazed on avocado toast, smoothie bowls, biscuit sandwiches, donuts, and more. It was ALL amazing.

We couldn’t stop eating. This smoothie bowl was maybe our favorite!

LUNCH/DINNER

Terra

Ask any Columbia local where to go for dinner, and chances are they’ll say Terra. We quickly learned this place has a cult-like following, and it’s for good reason. Their award-winning chef, Mike Davis, specializes in creative food with local ingredients - and the result is downright mouth-watering. While their menu changes seasonally, odds are you’ll see the “Lamb Mac” on the menu, and if you do, order it right away.

We’d take a salad with cheese like this EVERY day!

Publico Kitchen + Tap

Located in the Five Points neighborhood of Columbia, Publico Kitchen + Tap is the kind of place that’s modern and hip yet fun for the whole family - even your pup! Their dog friendly backyard is the perfect place to meet up with friends, and their Latin-Asian menu is innovative and hearty. And if you bring your dog, ask for their VIP (Very Important Puppy) menu!

Motor Supply Co. Bistro

The date night options are endless here in Columbia, but in our opinion Motor Supply Co. Bistro is one of the best spots you’ll find. They specialize in sustainable, farm-to-table cuisine, and a creative seasonal menu that changes daily. Not only is the food incredible, but the ambiance is impressive too - it’s located in a former auto-parts shop!

DRINKS

Black Rooster

For cocktails with a view, there’s nowhere better than the Black Rooster. While their chic downstairs is tempting (and we’ll definitely be dining there next time), head straight to their fabulous rooftop bar, where you can order a wide variety of small plates, specialty cocktails, wines, and beer. Between the tasty cocktails and the stunning city views, it’s definitely the best place in town to catch the sunset!

Lula Drake Wine Parlour

We love a good wine bar, especially one with a story. Lula Drake Wine Parlour not only blew us away by its lengthy wine list and cozy interior, but by its history too! When the current owners took over the space, they found a trunk dating back to the early 1920’s down in the basement. The trunk belonged to a woman named Lula Drake (hence the name), and was filled with artifacts from her very interesting life. It makes for a great conversation with the bartenders, so we’ll just leave it at that. ;)

Steel Hands Brewing

Beer drinkers, run, don’t walk, to Steel Hands Brewing. This new craft brewery is the talk of the town right now in Columbia, and it definitely lives up to the hype. If you have time, we highly recommend going on a tour of the brewery, where you’ll get an inside look at their beer making process, with plenty of tastings along the way! Bobby was a big fan of their Tropical IPA!

Something we miss in Columbia? A favorite place of yours to grab a bite or a cold one? Leave a comment and let us know!